{"id":160034,"date":"2025-11-17T06:00:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/?post_type=sponsored&p=160034"},"modified":"2025-11-16T17:27:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T01:27:14","slug":"smithers-embraces-cleaner-air-and-safer-forests-with-innovative-waste-burning-technology","status":"publish","type":"sponsored","link":"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/sponsored-content\/smithers-embraces-cleaner-air-and-safer-forests-with-innovative-waste-burning-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Smithers embraces cleaner air and safer forests with innovative waste-burning technology"},"content":{"rendered":"

Discover how sustainable forestry and innovation are shaping a healthier future in Wet\u2019suwet\u2019en territory<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the heart of Wet\u2019suwet\u2019en territory just outside Smithers, the <\/span>Wetzin\u2019kwa Community Forest Corporation <\/span><\/a>(WCFC) <\/span>is reshaping how communities think about<\/span> forest stewardship.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Managing more than 30,000 hectares of mixed forest and alpine terrain, WCFC<\/span> works to balance environmental health, local economic opportunity and cultural<\/span> responsibility \u2013 a model of sustainable forest management rooted in collaboration<\/span> and respect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur main goal is to reduce waste as much as we can,\u201d says General Manager<\/span> Sam Coggins. \u201cWe wanted a method that was safe, efficient and respected both<\/span> the land and the people who live here.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For decades, the standard practice for disposing of forestry waste was open pile<\/span> burning<\/span>. <\/span>\u2013 While<\/span> effective, locals expressed concerns about air quality impacts.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pile burning typically releases smoke for a short period during burning, and can result in smoldering that carries on for days.Despite using custom ventilation forecasts smoke is released into the valley frustrating residents who already cope with wildfire haze during the summer months.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the interest of reducing impacts, WCFC has used an air curtain burner that reduced the number of burn piles so much that this year\u2019s pile burning has taken approximately 5 days.<\/span><\/p>\n

Determined to find a cleaner solution, WCFC introduced an innovative new<\/span> technology to the Bulkley Valley: the <\/span>Air Curtain Burner<\/span><\/a> \u2013 a pollution-control<\/span> system that transforms how forest waste is managed.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is an Air Curtain Burner?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Also known as an Air Curtain Incinerator \u2013 Air Curtain Burners work by<\/span> channeling a powerful stream of air over a burn chamber filled with wood waste.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of letting smoke escape into the atmosphere, the air curtain forces it back<\/span> into the hottest part of the fire, where the particles are re-burned at a very high<\/span> temperature. The result is a fast, efficient combustion process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur system eliminates what used to take days or even weeks in just a few<\/span> hours,\u201d Coggins explains. \u201cIt\u2019s safer, cleaner and less impactful for local<\/span> air quality.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because it meets BC Wildfire Service safety standards, the burner can operate<\/span> year-round \u2013 even during summer months when open fires are restricted. That<\/span> flexibility helps reduce fuel buildup and supports ongoing wildfire risk reduction<\/span> treatments, an essential part of the region\u2019s forest management strategy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeing able to manage residuals immediately after thinning has really increased the efficiency of operations,\u201d says Katelyn Metanczuk, WCFC\u2019s Enhanced Stewardship<\/span> Coordinator.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

The use of a mini-excavator to load the thinning residuals into the Air Curtain Burner. Photo courtesy Wetzin\u2019kwa Community Forest.<\/p><\/div>\n

Metanczuk also notes the importance of community partnerships.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to shout out Rob Vanderkooi and his company RCV Mechanical Ltd.,<\/span> who we worked with on the thinning operations and the air curtain burner system. <\/span>Rob\u2019s expertise has been invaluable.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coggins adds that community engagement has been central to the process. \u201cWe<\/span> offered firsthand exposure to the air curtain burner\u2019s operation through field tours,<\/span> to give our community a greater understanding of this new method of forest<\/span> waste management.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Air Curtain Burners also produces biochar, a natural by-product of clean<\/span> burning. Biochar acts as a soil enhancer, improving water retention and<\/span> supporting plant growth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBiochar makes a great soil additive for native plants like huckleberries,\u201d Coggins says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Balancing forest and community\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

This new approach to forest waste management aligns with<\/span> WCFC\u2019s broader<\/span> mission<\/span><\/a>: to protect ecological integrity while supporting local economies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The project was supported by a grant from the Forest Enhancement Society of<\/span> BC, which funds initiatives that improve forest resilience and reduce wildfire risks<\/span> across the province.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

WCFC\u2019s work also extends beyond the forest itself. A portion of forest revenue is<\/span> reinvested locally every year to support non-profits, First Nations, schools and<\/span> community programs. This is provided through community grants and stakeholder<\/span> donations.<\/span><\/p>\n

That focus on local benefit extends to WCFC\u2019s partnerships with small<\/span> businesses and mills, creating jobs that keep profits within the Bulkley Valley.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCommunity forestry means the value of every tree extends beyond the stump,\u201d<\/span> Coggins says. \u201cFrom logging crews to local artisans, the benefits stay close to<\/span> home.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For WCFC, adopting the Air Curtain Burner is more than an operational upgrade<\/span> \u2013 it\u2019s a reflection of what community-based forestry can achieve.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cleaner burns mean healthier air. Faster waste removal means safer forests.<\/span> And every project, from harvesting to habitat protection, is guided by the shared<\/span> goal of maintaining a sustainable, living landscape for generations to come.<\/span><\/p>\n

To learn more about Wetzin\u2019kwa Community Forest Corporation visit <\/span>wetzinkwa.ca<\/span><\/a> or follow them @<\/span>wetzinkwa<\/span> on <\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/a> for updates on<\/span> stewardship projects and community programs.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":160036,"template":"","sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-160034","sponsored","type-sponsored","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSmithers embraces cleaner air and safer forests with innovative waste-burning technology - The Interior News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/sponsored-content\/smithers-embraces-cleaner-air-and-safer-forests-with-innovative-waste-burning-technology\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Smithers embraces cleaner air and safer forests with innovative waste-burning technology - The Interior News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover how sustainable forestry and innovation are shaping a healthier future in Wet\u2019suwet\u2019en territory In the heart of Wet\u2019suwet\u2019en territory just outside Smithers, the Wetzin\u2019kwa Community Forest Corporation (WCFC) is reshaping how communities think about forest stewardship.\u00a0 Managing more than 30,000 hectares of mixed forest and alpine terrain, WCFC works to balance environmental health, local […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/sponsored-content\/smithers-embraces-cleaner-air-and-safer-forests-with-innovative-waste-burning-technology\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Interior News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2025\/11\/Nov-17-Wetzinkwa-Community-Forest-1-1-e1763342780163.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/sponsored-content\/smithers-embraces-cleaner-air-and-safer-forests-with-innovative-waste-burning-technology\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/sponsored-content\/smithers-embraces-cleaner-air-and-safer-forests-with-innovative-waste-burning-technology\/\",\"name\":\"Smithers embraces cleaner air and safer forests with innovative waste-burning technology - The Interior News\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/sponsored-content\/smithers-embraces-cleaner-air-and-safer-forests-with-innovative-waste-burning-technology\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/sponsored-content\/smithers-embraces-cleaner-air-and-safer-forests-with-innovative-waste-burning-technology\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2025\/11\/Nov-17-Wetzinkwa-Community-Forest-1-1-e1763342780163.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-17T14:00:18+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/sponsored-content\/smithers-embraces-cleaner-air-and-safer-forests-with-innovative-waste-burning-technology\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/sponsored-content\/smithers-embraces-cleaner-air-and-safer-forests-with-innovative-waste-burning-technology\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/sponsored-content\/smithers-embraces-cleaner-air-and-safer-forests-with-innovative-waste-burning-technology\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2025\/11\/Nov-17-Wetzinkwa-Community-Forest-1-1-e1763342780163.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2025\/11\/Nov-17-Wetzinkwa-Community-Forest-1-1-e1763342780163.jpg\",\"width\":600,\"height\":400,\"caption\":\"The resulting biochar after the Air Curtain Burner has been used and the thinnings have been burned. 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